Dave and Patty Schwarz are the new owners of the Guttenberg Motel. They happily greet guests from their freshly remodeled lobby, and are enjoying their new business. (Press photo by Molly Moser)

By Molly Moser

The past six months have been a whirlwind for Patty and Dave Schwarz. On Oct. 26, they sold their Clinton moving company after 25 years in business. Two days later, they purchased the Guttenberg Motel. Both Patty and Dave were raised in Clinton and while it had always been their home, they were ready to make a change.

Matt and Beth Sadewasser are set to open their new business, Sodes Green Acre Country Market and Cafe, on Monday, May 2. (Press photo by Molly Moser)

By Molly Moser

The highly anticipated opening of a new restaurant in Guttenberg is scheduled for Monday, May 2, when Sodes Green Acre Country Market and Café will begin offering a unique combination of locally produced goods from food and spirits to handmade gifts.

A Memorial Service will take place at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 23, at Colfax Lutheran Church in Colfax, conducted by Pastor Leslie Walck. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the church. Military Honors will be accorded following the service by American Legion Post 131 of Colfax at the church.

The Guttenberg spring city-wide garage sales will be held Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7.

Plan now to advertise your sale in the May 4 issue of The Guttenberg Press. All ads will appear grouped together, and will also appear in The Trader (23,000 circulation) as well as on The Press website: www.guttenbergpress.com.

Maps with listings are not being offered. Everything you need to know about the sales, including addresses and listings of items, will be in The Guttenberg Press and The Trader.

Following an April 14 work session to hear facility assessment costs from ICAT (Iowa Construction Advocacy Team) and Estes Construction, the Clayton Ridge School Board of Directors opened a public budget hearing and school calendar hearing.

Business manager Dave Schlueter presented the proposed 2016-17 certified district budget with total expenditures of $11,371,447. Tax rates were as follows: general fund - $3,006,949, management fund - $125,000, voted physical plant and equipment - $212,095, and regular physical plant and equipment - $104,465. The total taxable valuation is $305,271,721 and the tax levy rate is $11.22/per $1,000 taxable valuation.

Pastor Penny Hansel, who has served at United Methodist churches in Collins, Loring, McGregor and Guttenberg and has had many encounters with hospice, will join the panel discussion April 26. (Press photo by Molly Moser)

By Molly Moser

A free panel discussion on the bestseller Being Mortal: Illness, Medicine, and What Happens in the End by Atul Gawande will be held on Tuesday, April 26, at Eagle Ridge Independent and Assisted Living in Guttenberg. Dr. Andrew Smith, Pastor Penny Hansel, Nancy Heitman, RN, BSN, and Julie Fagner of Crossing Rivers Hospice will sit on the panel with Mayor Russ Loven moderating.